MANOLU, Maryland County — Tensions are escalating between communities in Maryland County and River Gee County as land disputes continue to grip the region, with illegal mining activities identified as the primary driver.
By: Peter P. Toe, Jr
The disputes are most pronounced in Maryland’s District 3, where communities such as Gedebo, Barrobo, and Tu-ou, are contesting ownership of key parcels of land.
Another flashpoint is a creek that marks the boundary between District Three of Maryland County and Webbo District of River Gee County where residents from both counties have laid conflicting claims.
Addressing the issue during his first constituency break for 2026 over the weekend while speaking to Journalists in Manolu Township, Maryland County Senator J. Gble-bo Brown described the situation as “serious,” particularly the ongoing dispute between Barrobo District and River Gee County.
“The conflict between the people of Barrobo in Maryland County and the people of River Gee is serious. Sometimes I’m in session and tension erupts, and I have to leave session to place phone calls in the county to maintain calm,” Senator Brown said.
He highlighted illegal mining as the main factor behind the disputes, explaining that miners often follow creeks while extracting minerals and unknowingly cross community boundaries, escalating tensions.
“Some of the miners are illegal. We invited the Ministry of Mines and Energy, and they said some of these people only have license to prospect and not to mine. These are the reasons we’re inviting these people,” he added.
Senator Brown also emphasized that collaborative action is underway. He has been in consultation with River Gee County Senator Boye Charles Saygbe and the two leaders plan to visit the affected areas together, accompanied by the respective superintendents.
“I talk to the Senator of River Gee, Hon. Saybe, he’s coming, and when he arrives, he and I, along with the two superintendents, will move there. It’s illegal mining that caused that,” the Maryland lawmaker explained.
The joint visit is expected to involve elders, local leaders, and citizens from both counties, aimed at finding lasting remedies to the land conflicts and preventing further escalation.
The senator has also announced plans to hold stakeholder engagements with elders and citizens of Karluway in resolving other internal land disputes in the area.
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Karluway Statutory District in Maryland County, Peter T. Coma Sr., welcomed the senator’s intervention. He noted that land disputes have become a daily occurrence in his district and expressed hope that the planned engagements will restore peace.
The creek between Maryland and River Gee counties is not an officially recognized boundary, but mining activities along its course have reportedly caused encroachment, fueling tensions between communities. Miners following the water often cross into neighboring lands without realizing they are on disputed territory.
Senator J. Gble-bo Brown emphasized that illegal mining, rather than formal boundary issues, is the main driver of these disputes, and addressing it is key to restoring peace between the affected communities.
